Manage the input and display language settings in Windows (2024)

To switch the keyboard layout you're using, press and hold the Windows keyand then repeatedly press the Spacebar to cycle through all your installed keyboards. (If this doesn't do anything, it means you have only one installed.)

You can also select the language abbreviation in your taskbar then choose the language or input method you want to use.

Note:In the input field, press the Windows logo key + period (.)toaccess the Emoji & more keyboard, if your language supports it.

If you can't find the keyboard layout you want, you may have to add a new keyboard.

Adding an input language lets you set a language-preference order for websites and apps, as well as change your keyboard language.

1. Select theStart>Settings>Time & language>Language & region.

2. Select the language that has the keyboard you want, then selectOptions.

3. Select Add a keyboard and choose the keyboard you want to add.If you don't see the keyboard you want, you may have to add a new language to get additional options. If this is the case, go on to step 4.

4. Return to the Language settings page, go to Preferred languages, then selectAdd a language.

5. Choose the language you want to use from the list, then selectNext.

6. Review any language features you want to set up or install, and selectInstall.

"Add a keyboard" shortcut

The display language you select changes the default language used by Windows features like Settings and File Explorer.

1. Select Start>Settings>Time & language>Language & region.

2. Choose a language from theWindows display languagemenu.

"Changeyour display language" shortcut

If a language is listed underPreferred languagesbut doesn't appear on the Windows display language list, you'll first need to install its language pack (if it's available).

1. Select Start>Settings>Time & language>Language & region.

2. In Preferred languages,selectAdd a language, enter the language you want, then selectNext.

3. Select Download from the Download language pack option.

4. After the language pack is installed, select Back.

5. Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.

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"Install a language pack" shortcut

If you receive an "Only one language pack allowed" or "Your Windows license supports only one display language" message,you have a single language edition of Windows 10.Here's how to check your Windows 10 language edition:

1. Select Start >Settings> About, and then go to the Windows specification section.

2. If you see Windows 11Home Single Language next to Edition, you have a single language edition of Window 11, and you can't add a new language unless you purchase an upgrade to either Windows 11Home or Windows 11Pro.

Upgrade to Windows 11Home or Windows 11Pro

1. Select Start >Settings>Time & language>Language & region.

2. Under Preferred languages, select the language you want to remove, and then selectRemove.

3. To remove an individual keyboard, select the language (see step 2),select Options, scroll down to the Keyboards section, select the keyboard you want to remove, and selectRemove.

To switch the keyboard layout you're using in Windows 10, press and hold the Windows key and then repeatedly press the Spacebar to cycle through all your installed keyboards. (If this doesn't do anything, it means you have only one installed.)

You can also select the language abbreviation on the far right of the taskbarand then choose the language or input method you want to use.

Note:In the input field, pressWindows+period (.)toaccess the emoji keyboard, if your language supports this.

If you can't find the keyboard layout you want, you may have to add a new keyboard.

Adding an input language lets you set a language-preference order for websites and apps, as well as change your keyboard language.

1. Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings>Time & Language>Language.

2. Under Preferred languages, select the language that contains the keyboard you want, and then selectOptions.

3. Select Add a keyboard and choose the keyboard you want to add.If you don't see the keyboard you want, you may have to add a new language to get additional options. If this is the case, go on to step 4.

4. Return to the Language settings page, and select Add a language.

5. Choose the language you want to use from the list, and then selectNext.

6. Review any language features you want to set up or install, and selectInstall.

"Add a keyboard" shortcut

Some languages require additional language features

For some languages to work properly, you need an admin on your PC to install the language features. Here's a list of the languages that are affected:

• Microsoft IME – Primary keyboard of Japanese

• Microsoft Pinyin – Primary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, China), Primary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, Singapore)

• Microsoft Wubi – Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, China), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, Singapore)

• Microsoft Bopomofo – Primary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Macao SAR)

• Microsoft ChangJie – Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Macao SAR)

• Microsoft Quick – Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Primary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR), Primary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Macao SAR)

• Bangla Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Bengali (India)

• Gujarati Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Gujarati

• Hindi Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Hindi

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• Kannada Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Kannada

• Malayalam Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Malayalam

• Marathi Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Marathi

• Odia Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Odia

• Punjabi Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Punjabi (Gurmukhi)

• Tamil Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Tamil (India)

• Telugu Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Telugu

The display language you select changes the default language used by Windows features like Settings and File Explorer.

1. Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings>Time & Language>Language.

2. Choose a language from theWindows display languagemenu.

"Changeyour display language" shortcut

If a language is listed underPreferred languagesbut doesn't appear on the Windows display language list, you'll first need to install its language pack (if it's available).

1. Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings>Time & Language>Language.

2. Choose a language from the Add a language list underPreferred languages, and then selectOptions.

3. Select Download from the Download language pack option.

4. After the language pack is installed, select Back .

5. Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.

"Install a language pack" shortcut

If you receive an "Only one language pack allowed" or "Your Windows license supports only one display language" message,you have a single language edition of Windows 10.Here's how to check your Windows 10 language edition:

1. Select the Start button,select Settings> About, and then scroll down to the Windows specification section.

2. If you see Windows 10 Home Single Language next to Edition, you have a single language edition of Window 10, and you can't add a new language unless you purchase an upgrade to either Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.

Upgrade to Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro

1. Select theStart button, then selectSettings>Time & Language>Language.

2. Under Preferred languages, select the language you want to remove, and then clickRemove.

3. To remove an individual keyboard, select the language in question (see step 2),select Options, scroll down to the Keyboards section, select the keyboard you want to remove, and clickRemove.